The Elvis Stamp.

[MauriceColgan]

What are the views on this image of Elvis on the stamp? It's a 50s pose but a 60s Elvis, at least to my eyes? It could have been a lot better!

Nevertheless I believe it sold more than 600 million! An attempt to get an image of Graceland on a stamp seems to have been abandoned.

Well what about an image of the little house in Tupelo Mississippi on an American stamp? Some little island state might have already done it?
Ed Neely, the Mayor of Tupelo will have the idea in a moment:-)

[vulcandude]

I remember when everyone was voting on what image to use on the stamp, and THERE was a pose for the 60s, as well as the 70s, which was my favorite. While I liked the one that was issued, I always thought that for true Elvis fans, the other two poses should have been put out as a linited edition sort of thing. I'm pretty sure you are right in how much in quanity the stamp sold....I think it's still the best selling stamp that the Postal Service has put out. I also seem to remember a Buddy Holly stamp was issued......anyone know if it's still available?

[MauriceColgan]

Vulcandude, Are there untrue Elvis fans? ...I thought we were all steadfast loyal and true

[jak]

I believe the breast cancer awareness stamp outsold the Elvis stamp to become #1.
Jak

[Eve]

In 1992, the American public voted on a matter of vital national importance: young Elvis or old Elvis?

Allowing the public to select the artwork for the Elvis Presley stamp was an unprecedented move by the U.S. Postal Service. The choice was between two equally superb but thematically distinct portraits: a watercolor of the youthful Elvis by Mark Stutzman, or a more mature Elvis painted by John Berkey.

Pre-addressed ballots were distributed in post offices around the country and in the April 13, 1992, edition of People magazine. America spoke, returning nearly 1.2 million ballots to the Postal Service, and the choice was clear: More than 75 percent of voters preferred young Elvis. The stamp was dedicated at Graceland just a few moments after midnight on January 8, 1993?Elvis?s 58th birthday.

Across the country, reaction to the voting process was boisterous and opinionated. Members of Congress debated the worthiness of Elvis as a stamp subject, newspaper editorialists made lofty pronouncements, and presidential candidate Bill Clinton publicly voiced his support for the younger Elvis. Meanwhile, comedians and cartoonists used the opportunity to poke fun at the Postal Service, the 1992 presidential candidates, and even Elvis himself.

A decade later, the Elvis stamp is still one of the most talked-about stamps ever issued by the Postal Service?and the most popular U.S. commemorative stamp of all time.

The stamps that would be King

The U.S. Postal Service commissioned eight artists to develop potential designs for an Elvis stamp. Working independently, they submitted 60 sketches and paintings in every imaginable style, from somber watercolors to abstract modernist designs.

The artists were not restricted to any particular era in the life of Elvis, so their designs explored various aspects of his career, including his films, his early performances, and his reign on the Las Vegas concert stage. These concept sketches and preliminary designs, which reflect the innumerable ways of looking at an American icon, show Elvis stamps that might have been.

[MauriceColgan]

Thanks Eve.

I found quite a collection of Elvis stamps published in various countries, on the www. I think there is actually a book about all of them.

Ger Rijff sent me a very nice Dutch one a few months ago:-) Belated Happy Birthday Ger. Maybe someone will pass on my good wishes to him on FECC from the, "Minstrel Boy" of Irelandtoo :-)?

http://www.elvision.20megsfree.com

[vulcandude]

In 1992, the American public voted on a matter of vital national importance: young Elvis or old Elvis?

Allowing the public to select the artwork for the Elvis Presley stamp was an unprecedented move by the U.S. Postal Service. The choice was between two equally superb but thematically distinct portraits: a watercolor of the youthful Elvis by Mark Stutzman, or a more mature Elvis painted by John Berkey.

Pre-addressed ballots were distributed in post offices around the country and in the April 13, 1992, edition of People magazine. America spoke, returning nearly 1.2 million ballots to the Postal Service, and the choice was clear: More than 75 percent of voters preferred young Elvis. The stamp was dedicated at Graceland just a few moments after midnight on January 8, 1993?Elvis?s 58th birthday.

Across the country, reaction to the voting process was boisterous and opinionated. Members of Congress debated the worthiness of Elvis as a stamp subject, newspaper editorialists made lofty pronouncements, and presidential candidate Bill Clinton publicly voiced his support for the younger Elvis. Meanwhile, comedians and cartoonists used the opportunity to poke fun at the Postal Service, the 1992 presidential candidates, and even Elvis himself.

A decade later, the Elvis stamp is still one of the most talked-about stamps ever issued by the Postal Service?and the most popular U.S. commemorative stamp of all time.

The stamps that would be King

The U.S. Postal Service commissioned eight artists to develop potential designs for an Elvis stamp. Working independently, they submitted 60 sketches and paintings in every imaginable style, from somber watercolors to abstract modernist designs.

The artists were not restricted to any particular era in the life of Elvis, so their designs explored various aspects of his career, including his films, his early performances, and his reign on the Las Vegas concert stage. These concept sketches and preliminary designs, which reflect the innumerable ways of looking at an American icon, show Elvis stamps that might have been.

Has anyone seen what these other submissions look like? Are they available to buy?

[MauriceColgan]

This one was submitted by artist, John Berkey.

A poor image of Elvis in my oppinion.

[MauriceColgan]

UPDATE.

Mayor of Tupelo Ed Neely kindly replied to my email and is going to request an Elvis birthplace stamp by writing to:
CITIZENS' STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
1735 N LYNN ST STE 5013
ARLINGTON VA 22209-6432

I also received a reply from Mellisa A of the US Postal Service. Elvis fans willing to help can send their request for an Elvis related stamp featuring Tupelo to the above address.